Madras Banyan Tree

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

Don't really understand the negative reviews. I have eaten there many times, and feel privileged to live so close to the restaurant, in a part of Melbourne which features minimally (an understatement) in any restaurant guide. The dosas are fantastic, I've had an amazing crab dish there on a couple of occasions, and in general, bar one or two mishaps (the soup was from a packet), it has been outstanding.

I love going there, and the place really does put most other Indian restaurants into the shade. The service also is not that bad.

Feb 28, 2012 

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  4      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  1     

Nothing good about the restaurant. The service was awful. They served the food without serving the plates. We had to ask for plates. Tried south Indian chicken dishes which was once again disappointing.

Feb 12, 2012 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  9     

Biriyani is awesome, I always keep on pestering my Fiance to get me biriyani most of the time. I would give an overall 9 for the food and ambience, as we are their regular customers and have tried most of the dishes. The senior staff is very friendly.

Apr 24, 2011 

1.3 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

Worst Experience. Actual ambience is completely different from website. Food is below average. Frozen food reheated and served. Service not at all up to the mark, took 40 min to get the first dish. Overly priced. Overall Very disappointed visit. Certainly would not recommend to any one.

Feb 22, 2011 

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  2     

Very bad service. A lot of my friends have the same opinion. I have decided never to go back there. The senior staff is very arrogant and rude. The ambience is ok and so is the food but we are upset every time we leave due to staff behaviour. Last time the guy at the counter asked me for double the bill as we were two, sitting on a table of four, explaining me the space issue while the whole restaurant was empty! very disappointing! Bye Bye Rotting tree.

Feb 03, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  7     

Definitely worth going again and again. The staff is friendly and the food tastes very much Indian. They take effort in preparing it and you can taste this effort in your meal. The Ambience is very good and toilets are Clean. Best Pistachio Kulfi (dessert) in town.

Nov 05, 2010 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  7      Value  6     

Awesome south indian food. Ambience excellent, treat to see the traditional paintings. Although a bit overpriced for the buffet.

Sep 04, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Another place we've been meaning to try for a while, and finally did it on the way home from the airport one Sunday night.

We were greeted by a friendly lady who referred us to their menu, and once we'd ordered we had a couple of beers while we waited. Word of advice, best not to go for the Haywards 5000 if you're driving, it's something obscene like 7 or 8% and works out as 2 standard drinks!

That said, it's a good drop and many will be sampled when we come back to eat in, which given how good the curries were (again we played it safe and went for a Chicken Tikka and a Lamb Korma, with some awesome Lemon Rice) we definitely will when friends come to stay.

Lack of a takeaway menu means we have had to print their menu off the website for future reference, but will definitely be currying on here.

Jun 11, 2010 

2.8 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  7      Service  1      Value  1     

I have visited this restaurant more than 8 times now. My first time was just amazing. Everything food, service, ambience etc was excellent. Though it was over priced but didn’t mind coming back. As a first time customers we were given “over “ welcoming service and next visit was not too bad as well.

The food was ok but now the food they serve is near to awful. I haven’t been served so rudely in my entire life. One of the senior staff member was rude not once but at several occasions. We felt like he not welcomed at all to his restaurant. On the other hand they cannot deliver food according to customer’s specification on a humble request (i.e. making Dosa well done or more crispy).

Infact the senior staff started arguing with us as if we have never been to a restaurant before. We have experienced this not only with ourselves but have witnessed this kind of behaviour with other customers while we were having food. In my recent visit all my friends decided never to step in again for even free food, as the quality of food has gone drastically down and prices up.

So what to do with good ambience when purpose of going there is not solved at all. We will never visit this restaurant again and will not suggest to anyone as well.

Apr 25, 2010 

7.5 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  4      Value  9     

I feel obliged to write a review about Madras Banyan Tree after having food in a lot of Indian Restaurants in Melbourne. Especially my experience today in a so called best indian restaurant. Madras Banyan Tree is by far the best Indian (South) food I had outside the country. They try to maintain the authentic taste and its sure value for money. Though some say its pricey I wouldn't mind spending a little more for good food.

However, this place is not a rip off Indian Restaurant for sure. Service is a little too professional, but its okay. They clearly tell you aappam will take time which I really liked. Other items came fast and we had a good feast. Five Stars for Madras Banyan Tree!

Apr 21, 2010